Phi Theta Kappa 

A few days ago I was invited to become a member of FQK (Phi Theta Kappa). Which I am very excited about because I have never been a part of an academic/honors group of any kind.

I have always been smart, but my biggest problem in the past was that at times I procrastinated, was lazy, or simply pessimistic about school. Over time I have stopped procrastinating, worked on motivating myself, and I now have a better outlook on school. I am very, very proud of myself.

It is so exciting it really is. I have already checked out their website and everything. I have joined their membership and have already explored what they have for us members.

What they have is very helpful and beneficial for anyone that is a part of it. It will definitely not only help improve the life skills you will need for your future, it also improves who you are as a person.

I am very excited and I can't wait to learn more about it. I just wanted to share that little victory with everyone.

More Snow in East Tennessee!!!

I woke up and my grandma told me that I wouldn't be able to go anywhere. I asked why and she said that there was snow outside. And I was like okay, so what there is snow...

As soon as I thought this I realized, Wow! The fact that I am already beginning to think that about snow in the South, in East Tennessee in Knoxville!! Is amazing. We have had quite a few snow storms this winter. It has been the weirdest winter in Tennessee since 2002 (when there was also quite a bit of snow too and we had just moved here too). But this is not just a dusting, no flurries. We are talking about more than 2-3 inches people... it's awesome.

It has actually, dare I say it become common to get snow. I love it. I really do

For all those that have snow in Tennessee, enjoy it while you have it. I will be going out soon to play in it! Yes I will post actual pictures of the snow, it's so cold outside. I am not going out there in my pajama's to take pictures.

Have a great day! Be careful on the roads. Lots of schools have been canceled and not a lot of people are going into work either.

Stay safe!

I Run for Him

I have been thinking about running for quite some time. I did it a little bit in high school and on/off with my roommates from last year. Now I have started to exercise so that way in April I can run for my brother. The reason why I run for him is because he has autism and he wouldn't be able to do it for himself. He just would not understand what was going on and the whole purpose of the run.

I have until April 16, 2011 at 8 a.m. to get ready for this race. It's going to be interesting I have never done a race before and I have a little over 100 days left and counting to get ready for it. I have to be careful though while working out and exercising, a few months ago I got plantar tendonitis in both of my knees. For the 1st two weeks of this month I will probably just be walking and doing stretches until my knees are able to deal with it without being in pain.

I am very excited and of course I have decided to add another blog to my list to keep track of my progress. If there is anyone that is a more experienced runner out there that would like to give me advice, please do.

After this race, I will probably do one. It is the Breakthrough for Autism 5k. It takes place in Knoxville, Tennessee.

For more information of the Breakthrough Corporation go here.

Who Doesn’t Want to be Famous?

My first book review for this year!

Title: How to become a Famous Writer before you're Dead

Author: Ariel Gore

Number of Pages: 288

Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Genre: Writing Reference

Rating:

I remember this when I picked it up from McKay's (an amazing used books, music, movies and more store that exists in Tennessee). The title is what caught my eye. After all I want to become famous for something before I die, not after. I want to reap some of the benefits from my hard work.

It is an enjoyable book, with exercises and interviews from authors. Granted I have not heard of most of these authors, but I think that was her point, to expose us to authors that we have never heard of and to give the authors more publicity.

Before I found this book while wondering through McKay's I had never heard of Ariel Gore. My first thought that occurred when I came across this book was, 'What right does this person have to write a book about becoming famous writer when I have never heard of them?'

I have been proven wrong, somewhat. No, she is not famous like J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer. But she gives great advice that is very beneficial that does not give way to the old idea that it takes luck and chance to become famous.

Her whole idea is that if you want to become a famous writer, you have to work and work hard. Work your butt off. Writing, like everything is a job she said throughout the book and you have to spend a great amount of time dedicating to doing your job. Yes,the benefits are not as quick as with other tasks and other jobs but nevertheless it is necessary.

In the book she discusses everything for those that are beginners, tips on how not to procrastinate, self-publishing (yes such a thing exists), to everything else in between. The most important thing is this, write and get your name out there. And no, I am not talking about taking the Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton way. It involves sending in comments to newspapers, magazines, etc. Writing for school newspapers, literary magazines, etc.

I had no problems with this book. My only hope is that she comes out with a book of writing prompts and exercises.

This is a definite read for anyone who wants to become a famous writer.

Small Town Quaintness

At the very beginning of this month I went with my awesome boyfriend to Fayetville, Tennessee to visit his family and the home where he grew up. It was so beautiful and amazing. It was like time literaly stopped, there was so much land. Miles and miles of nothing but farmland, there was even this huge transformer like tractor. It crossed the road which just made me laugh because it is like often do you see that everyday. Well this huge tractor like thing, no idea what the real term is, started spreading these wing like things over the field and it looked like it was giving a spray.

And that was just when we were driving to his house, which was still over an hour away. But besides that....

There was of course the town center, where had a courtyard, and a buidling (I can't remember if it was a town center or a courthouse) but this building had its own bell, which was an actual bell and rang every hour. The town center had a movie theatre, a bookstore, I think a barber shop , and a few antique bookstores. I loved it.

I literaly felt like time had stopped there. There was of course some stores and fast food places that have been cropping up expanding the area. But you can tell the town still had that small town feel, I just hope that that feeling continues to stay there.

I went on a walk in the area, feed some horses, which I believe that the family that owns them rehabilitates them. I was even told by his parents that the population has stayed the same for many, many years. I will have to come back and put the exact numbers on here about the population, but I remebered it was very interesting.

Visiting his family was a lot of fun, I was glad I got to them better and become closer to my love. Just when I think I knew everything there is to know about him, I am always learning more.